Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations for Students (EEL Regulations) at Hasselt University and tUL 2019-2020 - UHasselt
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2019-2020 Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations for Students (EEL Regulations) at Hasselt University and tUL.
Education, Examination and Legal
Position Regulations for Students (EEL
Regulations)
at Hasselt University and tUL
The Dutch version is approved by the Board of Governors of Hasselt University in June
2010, July 2011, June 2013 (correction in October 2013), July 2014 and June/July 2015,
June 2016, June 2017, May 2018, May 2019
Applicable to all programs and postgraduates of Hasselt University/tUL.
This English translation is strictly for reference and cannot be used for legal purposes. In
the event of discrepancies in interpretation, the Dutch text will be binding.2
Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations for
Students at Hasselt University and tUL
The Dutch version is approved by the Board of Governors of Hasselt University in June
2010 and July 2011, June 2013 (correction in October 2013), July 2014, June/July 2015,
June 2016, June 2017, May 2018, May 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Glossary ................................................................................................................................................... 4
Education regulation .............................................................................................................................. 7
Programs .................................................................................................................................. 7
Language regulations ............................................................................................................... 9
Admission requirements ........................................................................................................ 11
Enrolment and tuition fees .................................................................................................... 15
Contracts ................................................................................................................................ 16
Study pathways and the composition of individual students’ year program ........................ 17
Exemptions ............................................................................................................................ 19
Students in special circumstances ......................................................................................... 20
Program components at other institutions of higher education ........................................... 21
Fraud with respect to submitted documents ........................................................................ 21
Examination regulation ........................................................................................................................ 22
Evaluation methods and organisation of examinations ........................................................ 22
Examiner and exam results .................................................................................................... 25
Examination Board: composition, operation and competences ........................................... 26
3bis. Examination Board’s Office: composition, operation and competences .............................. 28
Assessments: ‘passing’ and degree........................................................................................ 29
Resitting examinations........................................................................................................... 32
Announcement of the examination results ........................................................................... 33
Special provisions concerning specific program components ............................................... 34
Program components taken at another institution of higher education or taken from
another program at UHasselt and consequences for the examination opportunities .......... 35
Irregularities ........................................................................................................................... 35
Material errors ....................................................................................................................... 37
Conflicts ................................................................................................................................. 37
Legal position regulations .................................................................................................................... 39
Internal appeal ....................................................................................................................... 39
Council for disputes concerning study progress decisions .................................................... 41
Ombuds persons .................................................................................................................... 41
Regulations ............................................................................................................................ 41
Sound and visual recordings of educational activities ........................................................... 41
Legal relationship – forum selection...................................................................................... 42
Miscellaneous ........................................................................................................................ 42
APPENDIX 1: Interuniversity EELR Postgraduate innoverend ondernemen....................................... 43
APPENDIX 2: Regulations concerning the rights to research results and rights to copyright works of
bachelor’s and master’s students at Hasselt University, tUL and the partner institutions in a joint
study program....................................................................................................................................... 43
APPENDIX 3 Transitional measures for the conversion of the Academic Teacher Education Program
that was previously organized at a Centre for adult education to the Educational Master programs
............................................................................................................................................................... 46
3Glossary
academic year A one-year period which starts on 1 September at the earliest and
1 October at the latest, and which ends on the day before the start
of the next academic year. An academic year can exceptionally be
longer or shorter than one year if the university board decides to
advance or delay the start of the academic year.
aptitude certificate A certificate proving that, on the basis of previously acquired
competencies or qualifications, a student has mastered the
competencies that are inherent to one of the following:
- a Bachelor’s level in higher professional or academic education,
or
- a Master’s level, or
- a well-defined program, program component or cluster of
program components.
The certificate in question can be either a document or a
registration.
aptitude test An evaluation of a person’s competencies, before an aptitude
certificate is awarded.
credit certificate A document or another form of registration which states that a
particular student has taken an examination and that he has
acquired the competencies that are linked to a program
component. The obtained credits that are linked to the program
component in question are called “credits”.
contact moments Each form of education where students come into contact with a
member of the teaching staff or a tutor.
degree The title of Bachelor, Master or Doctor that is awarded by means
of a diploma after a student has completed a program or has taken
a doctoral examination.
qualification of a degree Additional information that refers to the completed program or, for
the doctorate, to the discipline.
specification of a degree The words “of science”, “of arts” or “of laws” that are added to a
degree.
(ECTS) credits
obtained credits ECTS credits that are linked to a program component for which a
student has obtained a credit certificate.
selected ECTS credits ECTS credits that are linked to a program component for which a
student has enrolled in a particular academic year.
first-time student A student who is enrolling for the first time in a particular academic
year, by way of a diploma contract for a professional or academic
oriented Bachelor in Flemish higher education. This status is valid
for an entire academic year.
force majeure An event that has nothing to do with the applicant and that could
not be foreseen, prevented or overcome.
4learning account The total set of ECTS credits that a student can use in his student
career for an enrolment under a diploma contract in an initial
Bachelor’s or Master’s program or a program component under
credit contract. This number may vary, depending on the number
of ECTS credits for which the student enrols and how many he
obtains.
Master’s dissertation Dissertation that completes a Master’s program. The student
should demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise
information, to solve problems independently at an academic level,
or to create art. The dissertation is to reflect the student’s critical,
reflective attitude or his disposition towards research.
previously acquired A previously acquired competency (Dutch: Eerder Verworven
competency Competentie, EVC), i.e. a collection of knowledge, insight, skills
and attitudes that has been acquired by means of learning
processes that were not authenticated with a certificate.
previously acquired A previously acquired qualification (Dutch: Eerder Verworven
qualification Kwalificaties, EVK), i.e. each domestic or foreign certificate that
proves that a formal study pathway was successfully completed,
whether or not within an educational context. This does not include
any certificates that were obtained within the institution and the
program/postgraduate in which the student intends to use this
certificate.
primary enrolment The lowest enrolment of a student with multiple enrolments in
different program levels within one academic year or the first
enrolment of a student with multiple enrolments in equal
program level within one academic year.
profile of the program Distinctive features of a program, which are the result of the
following factors:
- the qualification and/or specification of the degree awarded upon
completion of the program/postgraduate, and/or
- the study load of the program/postgraduate, and/or the
institution that stages the program
- the specific specialisation within a given program can also be
considered a distinctive feature of the program.
program A unit within the selection of available courses. When it is
successfully completed, it is authenticated with a diploma.
program component A clear-cut whole of educational, learning and evaluation activities
aimed at acquiring some well-defined competencies with regard to
knowledge, insight, skills and attitudes.
program pathway A structural unity within the educational offer that aims to
broaden/expand the competencies that are obtained upon
completion of a bachelor or master program and which leads to a
postgraduate certificate.
sequentiality The rules on the taking-up or passing a program component or a
program before one can enrol for another program component or
another program.
specialisation The differentiation in a study program with a study load between
(min) 30 and (max) 120 ECTS credits.
5standard study program Study program with a study load of 54 to 66 ECTS credits per
program year.
student file This is a student’s personal electronic file on the Hasselt University
website, which contains among other things the student’s personal
education-related records. These records may contain the number
of selected ECTS credits per academic year, the obtained
examination results per academic year, an overview of all of the
student’s obtained examination results, or recommendations on
study progress.
study load The number of ECTS credits that are awarded to a program
component or a program.
study pathway The way in which the program is organised.
tuition fee The amount of money that a student needs to pay in order to
participate in the educational activities and/or examinations.
working days All week days from Monday through Friday with the exception of
the periods free of education and examinations as marked in the
faculty’s academic calendars.
6Education regulation
Programs
Article 1.1 Available study programs and their study load
1. Hasselt University/tUL stages Bachelor’s programs, Master’s programs, preparation and bridging
programs, Academic Teacher Education Programs, the doctorate, postgraduate programs and
permanent training programs.
2. The study load of a Bachelor’s program amounts to at least 180 ECTS credits. For a Master’s
program, the study load is at least 60 ECTS credits. Within the study program, a distinction may
be made between different specialisations (which is determined by decree as a differentiation in
program with a study load of at least 30 ECTS credits). The learning outcomes are written out for
each program.
3. Preparation programs are organised for graduates from particular academic Bachelor’s programs,
in order to grant these students access to a Master’s program. The study load for such preparation
programs depends on the prior education.
Bridging programs are organised for graduates from particular Bachelor’s programs from higher
professional education, in order to grant these students access to a Master’s program. The study
load for such bridging programs amounts to at least 45 and maximum 90 ECTS credits.
4. A Academic Teacher Education Program carries a study load of 60 ECTS credits.
5. A postgraduate is a program pathway that aims to broaden and/or expand the competencies
obtained upon completion of a bachelor or master program. A postgraduate carries a study load
of at least 20 ECTS credits.
Article 1.2 Program components and their study load
The learning outcomes of the program/postgraduate are achieved through the program components.
1. The study load for each program component, expressed in whole ECTS credits, cannot be less
than 3. The number of ECTS credits per program component is stated in the study guide.
2. The number of ECTS credits for a program component represents the study time that is required
to achieve the learning outcomes of the program component. One ECTS credit corresponds to 27
hours of study time on average (tuition hours included).
By conducting evaluations and measuring study time, it is verified whether the estimated study
time corresponds with the actual study time and whether the study load is divided equally
throughout the education periods.
3. Each Master’s program is concluded by way of a Master’s dissertation. The study load of this
dissertation amounts to at least one fifth of the total number of ECTS credits in the study program,
with a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 30 ECTS credits.
4. The learning outcomes of programs leading to professions that fall within the scope of the
European Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September
2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications meet the conditions with regard to the
acquisition of knowledge and skills as laid down in the aforementioned Directive.
Article 1.3 Academic calendar
1. The education and examination periods and recesses are laid down in the faculty’s academic
calendars, which can be consulted on the website of Hasselt University.
2. The education and examination periods and recesses for postgraduates are laid down in the
academic calendars, which can be consulted on the website of SEE (Hasselt University – School
of Expert Education).
7Article 1.4 Curriculums – Education Management Team (OMT)
1. Within a general policy framework at the institutional level, the faculty/School is responsible for
the development and implementation of the educational strategy that includes full quality control.
The Faculty Board/Inter faculty School formulates a substantiated advice to the Education Board
and the University Board concerning the education curriculums of the programs for which the
Faculty Board is responsible. Within the EEL-regulations the School Board of SEE will perform the
tasks of the faculty Board for the postgraduates.
2. For each program/postgraduate, an Education Management Team (Dutch: OMT) is set up (for
Bachelor’s programs and consecutive Master programs or a language equivalent program, the
same Education Management Team can be installed). At the dean’s/chairman’s request, the
Faculty Board/ Inter faculty School formulates a substantiated advice to the Board of Deans
concerning the composition and chairmanship of the Education Management Teams of the study
programs for which the Faculty Board is responsible.
At the faculty of Law the competences of the OMT are executed by the Program Board (Dutch:
Opleidingsbestuur) of the law study programs, conform the rules as laid down in the
interuniversity cooperation agreement.
At the request of the academic director of SEE, the School Board of SEE formulates a substantiated
advice to the Board of Governors of SEE concerning the composition and chairmanship of the
Education Management Teams of the postgraduates for which the School Board of See is
responsible.
Within a general policy framework, the Education Management Team has at least the following
powers and responsibilities:
a) drawing up a strategy plan for the program in accordance with the (educational) policy plan at
institution level;
b) quality control and improvement of the program. This includes completing VISIO-O, preparing
for self-evaluation in the context of accreditation and drawing up and following up improvement
policy annually;
c) mapping out the needs for educational professionalization / support;
d) drawing the profile of the program;
e) preparing curriculum developments and changes. This includes, among other things, preparing
the training-specific competence profile taking into account the validated domain-specific learning
outcomes (DLR);
f) follow-up of the practical organization of the curriculum (including exams);
g) mapping out the desired pavement to realize the intended curriculum;
h) consult with the professional field at least once a year.
The OMT reports and advises to the competent faculty council or the competent school board.
Article 1.5 Evaluation meeting for quality control
1. Each Education Management Team sets up evaluation meetings for quality control within the study
program. An evaluation meeting includes at least three students and preferably two academic
staff members (of which one is a member of the Education Management Team) and one study
career coach; the academic staff members may vary depending on the educational period. The
ombuds person (see Legal position regulations, art.3.1) may also be a member of the evaluation
committees. The evaluation meetings preferably take place once every education period,
preferably in the middle of the education period.
2. One member of the Education Management Team is also part of the evaluation meetings.
3. The evaluation meeting is authorised to carry out the following activities as part of internal quality
control:
- evaluating the education care within each education period;
- solving urgent educational bottlenecks, in consultation with the members of staff involved.
4. The Education Management Team ensures a smooth operation of the evaluation meetings and
looks for appropriate solutions to problems that cannot be solved by the evaluation meetings.
8Article 1.6 Information per program/postgraduate in the study guide
1. The study guide contains at least the following information for each program/postgraduate (Codex
higher education art. II.221):
- the degree that the student will obtain upon completion of the program, the qualification of this
degree and, if required, its specifications;
- the study load expressed in ECTS credits;
- should the occasion arise, the specialisations;
- the language of instruction that is used in the program;
- the contents and objectives of the study program;
- the sequentiality and learning outcomes;
- the study program and the subdivision into program components;
- the organisation of the program in standard study programs and individualised study programs;
- the successiveness of the separate program components;
- the preceding programs that grant access to the program, as well as its consecutive programs.
Article 1.7 Information per program/postgraduate component in the study guide
1. The study guide contains at least the following information for each program component (Codex
higher education art. II.221):
- the study load expressed in ECTS credits;
the language of instruction;
- the objectives;
- the sequentiality and learning outcomes;
- the information concerning the examination/evaluation, in accordance with art. 1.2 section 1, 2
and 3, art. 1.5 section 1, art. 2.2 section 2, art. 7.1 and art. 7.2 of the examination regulations.
Should the evaluation form in the context of an exam contract deviate from the evaluation form
under diploma or credit contract, this is explicitly stated.
- the number of examination opportunities per program component; in accordance with art. 1.3
section 2, 4 and 10 of the examination regulations;
- if applicable, stating that the program component is excluded from tolerance in accordance with
art. 4.7 section 2 of the examination regulations;
- if the program component is excluded from an exam contract due to its inherent qualities.
Language regulations
Article 2.1 Language of instruction initial bachelor’s and master’s programs
(Codex higher education Part 2, Title 4, Chapter 8)
1. The university’s language of instruction is Dutch. In the initial bachelor’s and master’s programs,
an instruction language other than Dutch may be used, in conformance with the stipulations in
this paragraph (2. Language regulations).
2. A language other than Dutch may be used in the bachelor’s and master’s programs in:
a. program components that have a foreign language as their subject and that are taught in this
language;
b. program components that are taught by foreign-language visiting professors;
c. foreign-language program components that are taken in accordance with art. 9 at another
institution of higher education;
d. program components that have an explicitly motivated decision that shows the added value
for the students and the employment market and the functionality for the program.
3. A foreign-language bachelor’s program is an initial bachelor’s program of which the study load of
the program components, expressed in ECTS credits, offered in a language of instruction other
than Dutch in the standard study program is greater than 18.33% of the total study load of the
program components offered in that program, expressed in ECTS credits, in the standard study
program. Furthermore, a non-foreign-language initial bachelor’s program is considered a foreign-
language initial bachelor’s program if evaluation by the Flemish Government shows that more
than 33% of the graduates acquired more than 18.33% of their ECTS credits in program
components taught in a language other than Dutch, or if evaluation by the Flemish Government
shows that during two consecutive academic years at least 25% but no more than 33% of the
total number of graduates in a non-foreign-language bachelor’s program acquired more than
18.33% of their ECTS credits in program components taught in a language other than Dutch. The
9program components mentioned in paragraphs 2, a and c are not included in the calculation of
the boundary of 18.33%. (Codex higher education art. II.261 §3 and art. II.268 §2)
4. A foreign-language initial master’s program is an initial master’s program of which the study load
of the program components, expressed in ECTS credits, offered in a language of instruction other
than Dutch in the standard study program is greater than 50% of the total study load of the
program components offered in that program, expressed in ECTS credits, in the standard study
program. Furthermore, a non-foreign-language initial master’s program is considered a foreign-
language initial master’s program if evaluation by the Flemish Government shows that more than
33% of the graduates acquired more than 50% of their ECTS credits in program components
taught in a language other than Dutch, or if evaluation by the Flemish Government shows that
during two consecutive academic years at least 25% but no more than 33% of the total number
of graduates in a non-foreign-language master’s program acquired more than 50% of their ECTS
credits in program components taught in a language other than Dutch. The program components
mentioned in paragraphs 2, a and c are not included in the calculation of the boundary of 50%.
(Codex higher education art. II.261 §3 and art. II.268 §2)
5. The program components that are taught in a language other than Dutch are mentioned in the
study guide. The faculty will monitor the use of a foreign language.
6. An institution can only offer a foreign-language initial bachelor’s or master’s program if these
concern study programs which are specifically designed for foreign students or if the added value
for the students and the employment market and the functionality for the program can be
sufficiently demonstrated.
7. The institution can offer a foreign-language initial bachelor’s or master’s program on the condition
that an equivalent initial bachelor’s or master’s program, in which the student can follow the study
pathway completely in Dutch, is offered within the Flemish Community. The program components
mentioned in paragraphs 2, a and c are not taken into account in this matter.
8. Except in the cases where an exemption for the equivalence condition was granted, the students
must at all times be guaranteed an equivalent initial bachelor’s or master’s program within the
Flemish Community. Deviating from paragraph 7, the university board can freely offer initial
foreign-language bachelor’s or master’s programs if and only if these are study programs
designed specifically for foreign students within the framework of the International Course
Program of developmental collaboration, or if it concerns foreign-language initial bachelor’s or
master’s programs selected in accordance with the stipulations of a European program to promote
international collaboration in higher education and in which the goals are multiple degrees or joint
degrees. (Codex higher education art. II.265 §1)
Article 2.2 Requirements concerning quality and democratisation
(Codex higher education art. II.270 and art. II.271)
1. Each member of the teaching staff and of the academic staff, burdened with an education
assignment, must have adequately mastered the language of instruction in which he teaches a
program component. This means that the staff member must have a command of the language
at the CEFR level C1. This required proficiency level of the language of instruction is demonstrated
by qualification certificates issued by recognised institutions that show that the staff member has
a command of the language of instruction at the required level. The required proficiency level will
be presumed if the concerning staff member has acquired a diploma of secondary education or a
bachelor’s or master’s degree or doctorate in the language of instruction in which he teaches, at
an institution, which has this language as the language of instruction.
2. Each member of the teaching staff and of the academic staff, burdened with an education
assignment, who does not teach program components in Dutch must have a command of the
Dutch language at CEFR level B2. This requirement must be met within five years after being
hired or at the moment of tenure. The institution provides a mandatory integration process that
ensures that each member of the teaching staff commands the Dutch language at ERK-A2 two
years after he was first hired. The required proficiency level of Dutch will be presumed if the
concerning staff member has acquired a bachelor’s or master’s degree or doctorate in Dutch at a
non-foreign-language program. Furthermore, the required Dutch proficiency level (B2) is
presumed for members of the teaching staff and the academic staff, burdened with an education
assignment, who:
1° have tenure before 2013-2014;
102° are appointed before 2013-2014 with a view to have tenure;
3° are appointed before 2013-2014 for an indefinite period.
(Codex higher education art. II.389)
3. The institution will provide the members of the teaching staff and of the academic staff with
suitable facilities, among which an accessible and satisfactory offer of Dutch and foreign-language
courses and language counselling provisions.
4. Without prejudice to the stipulations of articles 3.1 and 3.2 of the Education Regulations, the
institution will provide students in an initial bachelor’s or master’s program with foreign-language
program components or in a foreign-language bachelor’s or master’s program with the
opportunity to test their language skills in this foreign language.
The institution will provide language counselling provisions in the study program of initial
bachelor’s or master’s programs with foreign-language program components or in the study
program of foreign-language bachelor’s or master’s programs. These language counselling
provisions may comprise:
1° language program components (including language courses) offered within the package of
mandatory program components or as a mandatory optional program component;
2° language counselling provisions which are integrated in the foreign-language program
components. These language counselling provisions provide an active counselling for the students
and are to the students clearly recognisable as such within the program component.
This requirement can be deviated from in the following events:
1° if, in case of a consecutive master’s program, the language counselling provisions are included
in the preceding bachelor’s program;
2° if, in case of a non-consecutive master’s program, the language counselling provisions are
included in the preparatory program or in the bridging program.
In case of a program component in which the language of instruction is another language than
Dutch and for which there is no Dutch equivalent taught within the same program, the students
are entitled to take the exam in Dutch, with exception of the program components mentioned in
article 2.1 paragraph 2, a and c. This regulation does not apply to foreign-language initial
bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Article 2.3 Post-initial programs (Codex higher education art. II.267)
1. The institution freely decides the language of instruction in the bachelor-after-bachelor programs,
the master-after-master programs, the postgraduate programs and in education and other study
activities organised in the framework of permanent education as refresher courses or additional
training.
Admission requirements
Article 3.1 Admission requirements concerning proficiency in Dutch
(Codex higher education art. II.193)
1. Only students with a sufficient knowledge of Dutch are allowed to enrol for the first time for a
program/postgraduate with Dutch as a language of instruction. Their knowledge of Dutch shall be
tested; this test may be administered by the university itself or by an institution or organisation
that is recognised for this by the university.
2. The following students are exempted from taking a Dutch language proficiency test:
- students who have successfully completed at least one year of secondary education in Dutch;
- students who passed a program or one or more program components with a total study load
of at least 60 ECTS credits in higher education in Dutch;
- students who have a certificate that shows they have acquired at least CEFR level B2 (or an
equivalent);
- students who have obtained a Dutch certificate awarded by one of the partners of the Limburg
Association of Higher Education.
113. In contravention to the provisions in sections 1 and 2 of this article, students who wish to enrol
under a diploma contract in a Academic Teacher Education Program or a master of teaching
program must master the Dutch language at a level ERK-C1 before they can enrol in the program.
The following students are exempted from taking a Dutch language proficiency test:
- students who passed a program or one or more program components with a total study load
of at least 60 ECTS credits in higher education in Dutch;
- students who have obtained a certificate of a Level 6 Dutch course (equivalent to a C1 level
of the Common European Framework) at a university language centre;
- students who have obtained a certificate from the Dutch Language Union (Nederlandse
Taalunie): the Dutch as a Foreign Language Certificate (Certificaat Nederlands als Vreemde
Taal, CNaVT) of the exam type Educational Professional (Educatief Professioneel) (before,
PAT).
Article 3.2 Admission requirements concerning proficiency in a language other than Dutch
1. If a program/postgraduate is offered in a language other than Dutch, students are only allowed
to enrol for this program/postgraduate for the first time if they pass a language proficiency test
for the language in which this study program is taught (Codex higher education art. II.194).
Article 3.3 General admission requirements for a Bachelor’s program
(Codex higher education art. II.178)
1. To enrol for a Bachelor’s program, students need to have obtained one of the following
diplomas/certificates:
a. a diploma of secondary education;
b. a short-type higher education diploma with a full curriculum;
c. a higher education diploma for social promotion, with the exception of the Certificate of
Teaching Competence;
d. a diploma or certificate, awarded in higher vocational education;
e. a certificate which, pursuant to a statutory standard, a European Directive or an international
convention, is recognised as being equivalent to one of the diplomas listed above.
These general admission requirements need to be met upon enrolment.
2. The rector may admit students with a diploma or certificate from outside the European Union that
has not been recognised as being equivalent (see section 1, e). However, this is only possible if
the document in question grants access to a Bachelor’s program in the country where it was
awarded that is equivalent to a Flemish Bachelor (in which case an authenticity check of these
diplomas or certificates is required, insofar as the Flemish government has issued any measures
to this end).
Article 3.4 Deviant admission requirements for a Bachelor’s program
1. If a student does not meet the general admission requirements in art. 3.3 and has reached or will
reach the age of 21 on December 31 of the academic year of the intended enrolment, he may be
admitted for a Bachelor’s program after an investigation of admission conducted by the admission
committee of the Limburg Association of Higher Education.
2. The candidate students shall file their request to the Student Administration of Hasselt University.
Hasselt University investigates, on behalf of the association, if the candidate can be admitted to
the deviant admission procedure.
3. There are at least 2 periods annually for the investigation of the request for admission based on
deviant admission requirements. The application of the candidate should follow the procedure and
deadlines as described on the website of AUHL (www.auhl.be). Candidates can only participate
once in an investigation of admission for the purpose of enrolment in a particular academic year.
4. The admission committee is composed on association level, conducts the admission investigation
and renders its verdict.
5. The candidates who pass the investigation of admission will receive a proof of admission. This
proof of admission has, in general, unlimited validity. If the proof of admission is older than 5
12years, Hasselt University reserves the right to impose an update to the candidate. The granted
admission after the deviant admission procedure is a general, not program-specific admission to
higher education.
6. No cost will be charged for participation in the investigation of admission.
7. A candidate-student who obtained diplomas abroad, which are eligible for being considered as
equivalent, but is unable to present his official certificates due to humanitarian reasons (refugee
of candidate-refugee) can proof by all means of law that he possesses the right qualifications. If
it seems impossible to submit conclusive evidence, the candidate will be referred to the deviant
admission procedure, regardless of his age.
Article 3.5 Special admission requirements for the Bachelor of Medicine
To enrol for the Bachelor’s program of Medicine, students need to be favourably ranked in the medical
admission examination of the Flemish Community. This additional admission requirement is
determined by decree.
Article 3.6 Admission requirements for a Master’s program
1. The Examination Board of a Master’s program may conduct an investigation of admission.
Academic Bachelors and Masters
2. Graduates from Flemish academic Bachelor’s programs with the specific profile of the program
may be directly admitted to a particular initial Master’s program.
For graduates from (certain) other Flemish academic Bachelor’s programs, a preparation program
may be staged. (Codex higher education art. II.182)
3. The study guide contains at least the following information for each Master’s program:
- the academic Bachelor and Master programs that grant students direct access;
- if applicable, the preparation programs for commonly occurring transitions.
4. Students may enrol for a preparation program and its consecutive Master’s program
simultaneously (subject to the conditions set by the Examination Board).
The diploma for the following Master’s program can only be obtained if the preparation program
is successfully completed.
Professional Bachelors
5. Graduates from a Bachelor’s program in Flemish higher professional education can only obtain a
diploma for an initial Master’s program if they successfully complete a bridging program with a
study load of at least 45 and at the most 90 ECTS credits. (Codex higher education art. II.183).
6. Prior to enrolment, the Examination Board of the Master’s program in question may impose an
aptitude test. Based on previously acquired qualifications or the results of the aptitude test, the
minimum study load of a bridging program may be differentiated or, for a bridging program of
less than 45 ECTS credits, the minimum study load may be fixed. Finally, students may also be
exempted from taking a bridging program. (Codex higher education art. II.183).
7. The study guide specifies what bridging programs are available for each Master’s program.
8. Students may enrol for a bridging program and its consecutive Master’s program simultaneously
(subject to the conditions set by the Examination Board).
Simultaneous enrolment with the Bachelor’s program
9. Students who have not yet obtained a (Flemish) Bachelor’s diploma, which may or may not grant
direct access to a Master’s program, can enrol for a Master’s program and/or the preceding
preparation or bridging program under the conditions set by the Examination Board of the
Master’s program in question. (Codex higher education art. II.198).
1310.Students who have not yet obtained their professional bachelor diploma, can only enrol for
program components from a bridging program or for a bachelor program with a reduced study
load (bachelor with reduced study load) if they are less than 30 credits away from obtaining their
professional bachelor diploma. Students can file a request trough the study career coach with the
chairman of the examination committee. The chairman of the examination committee decides on
the request.
Article 3.6 bis Admission based on a diploma of higher education obtained outside the
Flemish Community (Codex higher education art. II.192)
1. Those who possess a diploma of higher education obtained outside the Flemish Community can,
after the admission investigation mentioned in section 3, be exempted from the prescribed
requirements with respect to the preliminary education as far as the diploma obtained and the
specific program profile of the student:
- is of sufficient level;
- to the control of authenticity of the diplomas and certificates concerned is met, as far as
measures are ordained by the Flemish Government; in this matter the provisions and principles
of the Treaty of the Council of Europe and the UNESCO concerning the recognition of diplomas
of higher education in the European Region, drawn up in Lisbon as far as the country of origin
also ratified the Treaty, are respected (Codex higher education art. II.192).
2. Persons who are no longer able to submit their study certificate, can be admitted to the
subsequent program based on humanitarian reasons and after an investigation of admission.
3. The investigation of admission referred to in section 1 and 2 may vary with each program and is
conducted by the Examination Board’s Office of the program involved, which can request
assistance from in-house or outside experts. The investigation of admission examines whether
the prospective student’s knowledge, insight and skills meet the entry requirements of the
program. This investigation of admission may also cause an admission examination to be
organised. If applicable, the permission for enrolment can be made dependent on the successful
completion of a specifically designed preparation program.
4. The request for admission shall be filed within the time limits mentioned on the website.
Students who are admitted through this procedure receive a written confirmation that they are
admitted to a particular Master’s program. A copy of this document is sent to the Student
Administration and is included in the student file.
Article 3.6 tris Admission requirements for a postgraduate
1. Admission to a postgraduate may depend upon specific admission requirements concerning
foreknowledge, experience or motivation necessary to complete the postgraduate successfully.
The specific admission requirements will be specified by postgraduate and will be announced on
the websites of the postgraduates.
Article 3.7 Admission to separate program components
1. Both students who meet the admission requirements stipulated in art. 3.3, 3.6, 3.6bis, as students
who do not meet these admission requirement are allowed to enrol for separate program
components with a credit contract or an exam contract (to obtain a credit certificate for one or
more program components), on condition that an inquiry confirms that they have the necessary
competences to be able to attend the program component(s) well. Elements such as prerequisites
and language can be decisive. The request for admission concerning separate program
components should be filed with the chairman of the Examination Board through the study career
coach. This investigation shall be conducted by the Examination Board’s Office (Codex higher
education art. II.191). For program components belonging to several programs/postgraduates
the chairmen involved make an arrangement.
Article 3.8 Learning account
1. Students whose learning account is less than or equal to zero may not enrol at Hasselt
University/tUL for a program or program components, whatever the type of contract is the student
wishes to use.
14In exceptional cases the student can be admitted based on a file. If the student lost his learning
account due to circumstances beyond his control, this file should at least include a decision of the
Council for Disputes concerning study progress decisions on the recovery of his learning account.
The student shall file his substantiated request with the study career coach. Subsequently the
vice rector of education decides on the admission.
2. Students whose learning account is positive but insufficient for the program for which they wish
to enrol, can enrol for not more than the number of ECTS credits according to their remaining
learning account.
In some cases, departures are possible:
- the student has insufficient learning account to enrol for at least 1 program component;
- a student wishes to increase its enrolment with a limited number of ECTS credits in the context
of maintaining its right to child allowance;
- a student in the year of graduation wishes to enrol for the remaining ECTS credits in the context
of obtaining his diploma.
To do so, the student shall file a substantiated request with the study career coach. Subsequently
the director of education decides for how many ECTS credits the student may enrol at most.
3. Students whose learning account is less than or equal to zero cannot be withheld from an initial
Master’s program if they meet the admission requirements and if they haven’t obtained a Master’s
diploma yet.
4. If students are unable to partake in one or more exams/evaluations of program components for
which they enrolled, because of circumstances beyond one’s control and they cannot use another
exam opportunity in the same academic year, they can file a request with the Council for Disputes
concerning Study Progress Decisions for the restitution of the lost learning account. More
information on the procedure can be found at: http://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/zo-dien-je-een-
verzoekschrift-in (this procedure is conducted in Dutch).
Enrolment and tuition fees
Article 4.1 Enrolment and tuition fees
1. Students may enrol insofar as they meet the admission requirements that are determined by
decree and the provision in art.3 of these education regulations.
2. Students may enrol for:
- one or more programs/postgraduates simultaneously, and/or
- one or more program components from one or more programs/postgraduates, and/or
- a bridging or preparation program. (Codex higher education art. II.196)
3. Students should to enrol before the start of the academic year and no later than 1 October. If
they want to enrol for one or more program components by way of diploma contract/ credit
contract, they need to do so before the educational activities for those particular program
components start. The enrolment in separate program components by way of exam contract must
be done utterly 2 weeks before the start of the exam period of the first exam opportunity of the
program component. The enrolment period for postgraduates will be mentioned on the website
of the relevant postgraduate.
For late enrolment, a formal request needs to be submitted, through the study career coach, with
the chairman of the Examination Board who will decide whether the student can still enrol.
4. Prospective students shall enrol according to the procedures for enrolment that are stated on the
website.
5. The Board of Governors annually takes note of the tuition fees for Hasselt University programs as
governed by the Codex Higher Education and lays down the tuition fees of the tUL programs at
campus Hasselt University. The Board of Governors also lays down the terms of payment for
Hasselt University programs and tUL programs. More information can be found on the website.
The Board of Governors of SEE annually sets the tuition fees for postgraduates. The terms of
payment will be developed in the specific conditions for postinitial education at Hasselt University
15(‘Dutch: specifieke voorwaarden voor postinitiële vorming aan de UHasselt’). These conditions
can be consulted on the SEE-website.
Contracts
Article 5.1 Entry agreement
1. Upon enrolment at Hasselt University, students enter into an entry agreement. The enrolment
agreement can be dissolved unilaterally by the Hasselt University if a student has not paid their
tuition fees within the term stated in the 2nd reminder. This does not relieve the student from the
obligation to pay the tuition fee. The student can unilaterally terminate his study contract by
deregistering for the program, possibly without repayment of the tuition fee and with loss of ECTS
credits in his learning account.
2. The payment of a postgraduate tuition fee has to take place before the start date of the program
pathway, unless agreed otherwise. SEE can deny students who do not pay on time access to its
seminars and if applicable, deny them the right to participate in exams. Students can choose one
of the contract types below (Codex higher education art. II.199):
- A diploma contract is concluded to obtain a degree or a diploma for a program or a bridging or
preparation program, or a postgraduate.
- A credit contract is concluded to obtain a credit certificate for one or more program components.
For enrolment under a credit contract, particular conditions with regard to successiveness may
be imposed.
- An exam contract is concluded subject to the conditions that are set by the University Board for
taking exams in order to obtain the following:
- a degree or diploma for a program, or
- a credit certificate for one or more program components.
3. Some program components can be excluded from an exam contract, due to their inherent
qualities. The Faculty Board decides on this exclusion, after having received a recommendation
from the Education Management Team involved and the coordinating lecturer. Excluded program
components are mentioned in the study guide.
4. When enrolling under an exam contract, students are in theory not entitled to take part in the
educational activities or to utilise the auxiliary educational facilities.
5. It is not possible for students to simultaneously combine a diploma contract, exam contract and/or
credit contract for one program component in one academic year and within one program or
postgraduate.
It is not possible for students to enrol more than once per academic year for one program
component that belongs to two different programs or postgraduates.
6. A student cannot combine a diploma contract and an exam contract (to obtain a diploma) for
multiple program components of the same program in one academic year.
If a student wishes to combine a diploma contract and an exam contract (to obtain a credit) for
multiple program components of the same program in one academic year, the credits obtained
under exam contract (to obtain a credit) are withdrawn as an exemption into the diploma contract
in the next academic year.
Article 5.2 Information in the contracts
(Codex higher education art. II.201)
1. Information in the diploma contract:
- the diploma that the student intends to obtain and the objectives of the study program;
- the study load of the program/postgraduate;
- the program components that should or may be taken up in the study pathway and their
respective study load and successiveness;
16- the time period to which the enrolment applies;
- the conditions to obtain a credit certificate per program component;
- if applicable, the study load reduction acquired through one or more exemptions;
- the number of examination opportunities per program component;
- the regulations concerning evaluation and deliberation;
- the possible measures taken after study progress monitoring;
- if applicable, the binding conditions concerning study progress.
2. Information in the credit contract:
- the program component(s) for which the student is enrolling;
- the study load per program component;
- if applicable, the admission requirements to enrol for the program component in question;
- the time period to which the enrolment applies;
- the conditions to obtain a credit certificate per program component;
- if applicable, the study load reduction acquired through one or more exemptions;
- the number of examination opportunities;
- the regulations concerning evaluation;
- the possible measures taken after study progress monitoring;
- the binding conditions concerning study progress.
3. Information in the exam contract:
If students with an exam contract are enrolling to obtain a diploma, the provisions in Art. 5.2
section 1 apply. If they are enrolling to obtain a credit certificate for one or more program
components, however, the provisions in Art. 5.2 section 2 need to be taken into account.
Article 5.3 Change of contract type
1. If a student wishes to alter his contract type in the course of an academic year (Codex higher
education art. II.202) he shall submit a substantiated request, through the study career coach,
with the chairman of the Examination Board who then decides.
A student can no longer change the contract type for a specific program component after an exam
opportunity for the program component took place.
2. In some cases, a change of contract type has financial repercussions. More information about this
can be found on the website. In addition, a change of contract type may have an effect on the
learning account.
Study pathways and the composition of individual students’ year program
Article 6.1 Study pathways
1. The abovementioned contracts set down the study pathway.
The study pathway determines the provisions on study load, deliberation and study progress
monitoring:
- by way of a standard study program for a group of students;
- by way of an individualised study program for one particular student.
In some programs a special study pathway for working students is available.
A student is responsible for requesting his initial study pathway before October 20 of the current
academic year. If a student files his initial study pathway after this date, the chairman of the
Examination Board can link consequences to the late request (for example not being able to enrol
in program components which have progressed too far).
Students who do not request their initial study pathway within 2 months after their enrolment will
be automatically deregistered by the student administration.
2. When students deviate from a standard study program, they are given an individualised study
program. This may be assigned in the following cases:
a. to students who have fallen behind within the standard learning pathway;
b. to students with exemptions;
17c. to students with a special medical or social background (for example, working students or top-
level sportspersons);
d. in the event of transitional measures for changes in the curriculum.
Article 6.2 Composition of an individual student’s year program
1. Depending on the contract type and study pathway, individual students may compose their year
program, in accordance with (a) the general regulations in this education and examination
regulations and (b) the specific provisions in the study guide that apply to the selected
program/postgraduate and/or program components.
2. A student may take a maximum of 68 ECTS credits per academic year (based on the sum of all
his study contracts in one academic year at Hasselt University/tUL). In exceptional cases, the
Examination Board’s Office can allow a student to take more ECTS credits, for which a student
must file a substantiated request, through the study career coach, with the Chairman of the
Examination Board.
If a student wishes to take up more than 68 ECTS credits from two or more study programs in
one academic year, he files a substantiated request through his study career coach, with the
chairman of the Examination Board of the study program of his primary enrolment. The Chairman
of the Examination Board of the study program for which the student takes his primary enrolment,
decides on the request after consulting all other stakeholder-chairmen’s of the Examination
Boards.
3. For individualised study programs, students present their year program, though the study career
coach of the program, to the chairman of the Examination Board for approval (see art. 8 for the
assignment on facilities).
Article 6.3 Changing the contents of a contract
1. Students may petition for a change in the contents of their contract. This alteration may involve
one of the following:
- the transition from a standard study program to an individualised study program;
- a change in the composition of their set of program components.
2. If students intend to take other or extra program components within their contract, they need to
submit a substantiated request, through the study career coach, with the chairman of the
Examination Board who then decides. This request must be filed before the start of the educational
activities of the concerned program component(s).
3. Students may deregister from a program component until half of the education period in which
the program component is lectured. Deregistration for a program component which is spread over
all education periods in an academic year, is possible until 15 December.
If the program component is spread out over more than one education period, students may
deregister until half of the first education period of the program component. The deregistration
date of each education period is annually set in the faculty’s academic calendar.
Deregistration for program components in a postgraduate is not possible.
4. The terms of payment and reimbursement of the tuition fee for programs, pursuant to the increase
or decrease in ECTS credits within a study contract, are reviewed annually by the Board of
Governors. More information on this can be found on the website. The terms of payment and
reimbursement of the tuition fee for postgraduates can be consulted on the SEE-website.
5. Any changes in the number of selected ECTS credits are processed in students’ individual learning
account.
On the other hand, when students with a credit contract deregister from program components,
this does not have any repercussions on the number of selected ECTS credits (Codex higher
education art. III.4).
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